The two most critical components of a computer system are RAM (random access memory) and SSD (solid state drive). With the passage of time, these components wear down and are prone to errors and malfunctions. Checking the health parameters is necessary to replace them with new ones before data loss. There are several methods for the same. In this guide, we'll learn about all the ways to monitor and assess the condition of these important components. Whether it's an inbuilt tool available via the OS or any third-party tool, we'll check all of them to ensure the health check is done in the best possible way.
Most of the SSD health-checking strategies and tools mentioned below are applicable to hard disks as well. I've also included a section on SSD and RAM health checking tools for the Linux platform.
If you are using a home server or a NAS system, checking the health parameters of RAM and SSD becomes more vital as heavy use of these components shortens their lives much faster than a regular home PC.
Checking Your RAM Health
If you experience reboots, complete freeze, BSOD, or sudden application crash—regularly—it can be a RAM issue. To check its health, you can do the following:
1. Windows Memory Diagnostic (Built-in Tool)
This is an inbuilt tool provided by Microsoft to check for RAM issues on your PC. Press the Win + R key and type mdsched.exe in the text field. Hit the Enter key to get started.
Choose the 'Restart now and check for problems' option to initiate the RAM checking process. The system will immediately reboot after choosing this option.
After reboot, the utility will perform a comprehensive memory test, which may take some time. So be patient! Once the test is complete, the system will reboot, and the results will be displayed upon logon in your system.
You can also view the test results in the Windows Event Viewer. To do so, click the Win + R key and type eventvwr.msc in the text field. Hit the Enter key to start the event viewer.
In the Event Viewer, go to the 'Windows Logs → System' option. Click the Find... option available in the right side pane. Finally, type MemoryDiagnostics-Results in the search text field and hit the Enter key to search for the memory diagnostics result.
Remember, this test is not foolproof and may not be able to detect all types of RAM issues.
2. MemTest86 (Advanced Testing)
For thorough and advanced testing, use the MemTest86 utility. It's the most reliable option when it comes to diagnosing memory-related issues.
Download it on your PC, and create its bootable USB. Reboot and boot from the USB to start this utility.
It's a standalone tool that runs independently outside of the operating system. It executes different types of advanced memory diagnostics routines to detect issues, if any. If any errors are detected by this utility, it's time to change the RAM.
Remember, it may take a significant amount of time to perform all the tests. So, wait patiently until all the tests are complete.
Checking Your SSD Health
Detecting SSD health without any tool is difficult, as they do not produce any kind of sound when they're about to fail. Therefore, analyzing SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) data is the only option to detect SSD health issues.
1. Using Windows Built-in Tools
Open PowerShell with administrator privileges and execute the following command:
Get-PhysicalDisk | Where-Object MediaType -eq 'SSD' |
Get-StorageReliabilityCounter |
Select FriendlyName, Wear, WearPercentageUsed, Temperature, PowerOnHoursHere, if the parameters Wear and WearPercentageUsed are above 80%, it's time to change the SSD before you lose your valuable data.
You can also schedule a script to run every week, logging all the results in a CSV file. Here's an example:
$timestamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss"
Get-PhysicalDisk | Where-Object MediaType -eq 'SSD' |
Get-StorageReliabilityCounter |
Select FriendlyName, Wear, WearPercentageUsed, Temperature, PowerOnHours, UncorrectableErrors |
Export-Csv "C:\Logs\SSD_Health_$timestamp.csv" -NoTypeInformationMake the necessary changes in the path to save the log file at your preferred location.
2. CrystalDiskInfo (Free GUI Tool)
If you are not a fan of a command-line environment, CrystalDiskInfo is the best GUI application to check the health of all types of storage devices on your computer. It's a free application and is available in both installer and portable formats.
It autodetects all the available drives, both physical and logical, and displays all the relevant health data in a list format. It's my go-to tool for checking storage drive information and its health.
3. Linux Users: smartctl Command
If you are on Linux, you can use the smartctl command for checking SSD health. Use the following command to first install it on your Linux system.
sudo apt install smartmontools # On a Ubuntu/Debian system
sudo dnf install smartmontools # On a Fedora systemNow run the following command to check the health of the first SSD attached to your system:
# List all drives
sudo smartctl --scan
# Check specific SSD
sudo smartctl -a /dev/nvme0n1
# For SATA SSDs
sudo smartctl -a /dev/sdaThe output displays different lifespan indicators, error logs (if any), wear level, and the drive's temperature to give you a fair idea about its health.
Miscellaneous Tips to Maintain RAM & SSD Health
And finally, here are some of the best tips to help you keep your system's RAM and SSD in good condition.
- Always keep the device drivers and firmware updated.
- Make sure your CPU has a proper cooling system installed.
- Hard shutdowns are a big no, as they can lead to data corruption on SSDs.
- If your RAM usage is nearing the existing capacity, upgrade and install more modules.
- Always keep a backup of your SSD to avoid any data loss.
Conclusion
Checking your RAM and SSD health is crucial to prevent unexpected crashes and data loss. While Windows offers basic built-in tools, advanced checks with MemTest86, CrystalDiskInfo, or manufacturer-specific software provide a clearer picture.
Make it a habit to test every few months, especially if you notice slowdowns or system instability. A little preventive check today can save you from a costly replacement tomorrow.
